Saturday, April 30, 2011

Norway Day 3 - April 29, 2011

We woke up and had a WONDERFUL breakfast at our Hotel. The Norwegians believe in very hearty breakfast buffets, a special treat for us. (Included in the room price, saved us likely $50) They even have you make sandwiches to take with for an afternoon snack. Arfinn Nilsen our Norwegian Cousin met us at the Hotel and picked us up in his very nice Mercedes Benz and gave us a lift to explore Buvika (the Nilsen Homestead) and treated us to some wonderful Norwegian hospitality.

Our first stop was the family church where everyone was babtized and where many of the Nilsen's are buried. (Of course, I had to take lots of pictures of gravestones, but they were lovely). We also learned that one of the Nilsen's son's was the first and only people that were involved in a political murder in Norway's history. (He had the largest tombstone! He is considered a hero of sorts). Arfinn also took us to the family home, which is in the same spot, but has been remodeled overtime. (He arranged to get us access to the home, which was right on a fjord). That was extra special for Mom!

Afterward, he invited us back to his home to meet his wife, Brit and his grandson, Orjan and a reporter. Yes, you read right a reporter, someone is doing a story on our visit, apparently the relatives of the Nilsen's are famous! Can't wait to see that article, notice I didn't say read it-as I don't think we will ever be able to read it.

Brit treated us to some coffee and norwegian pastries. Afterward, we had a real norwegian meal. I have no idea what I ate, but I have a picture of it. Yes, I did eat it!